Ignited Steel: Mech Tactics

About

"Ignited Steel: Mech Tactics" is a turn-based strategy game set in a futuristic world. Command a squad of giant mechs and customize their loadouts, using a variety of weapons and abilities to outmaneuver and eliminate the enemy. Engage in tactical combat across diverse environments, striving for dominance in single-player and multiplayer modes.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

61%

Audience ScoreBased on 49 reviews

gameplay6 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

The game features a fun and engaging combat system with interesting mechanics, particularly the heat management that adds a risk-reward element to gameplay.
The art style and music are well-received, contributing to an enjoyable atmosphere that resonates with fans of mecha themes.
It's a decent entry point for players looking for a simpler mech tactics game, especially those who enjoyed titles like Into the Breach.

The game suffers from a lack of depth and variety, with limited mech options, repetitive missions, and a feeling of being incomplete or abandoned by the developers.
There are significant bugs and issues that affect gameplay, including game-breaking glitches and poorly balanced difficulty that can lead to frustrating experiences.
Many players feel that the game does not live up to its inspirations, particularly in terms of strategic depth and engaging storytelling, making it less compelling for seasoned players.

story
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
75%
13%
The story aspect of the game is largely criticized for its lack of depth and detail, with many reviewers noting that missions feel repetitive and uninspired. While the game features distinct mission types and a strategic element, it fails to provide a compelling narrative or engaging events, leading to a sense of tedium. Overall, players express a desire for more story content, mech variety, and mission diversity to enhance the experience.
- “You command a mecha squad through several missions, gaining new weapons, investigating planets, and preparing for the boss fights.”
- “Outside of the tactical combat, the game progresses on an FTL-style star map, with nodes to travel to which might be planets where a tactical battle with various objectives are played out, scripted decision events, or trading stations to purchase and sell gear, repair your mechs, or take out contracts for increased rewards for performing certain challenges in missions.”
- “The main complaint that I've got so far is that I want more - more mech types, cores, weapons, story, etc., which I consider to be pretty minor all things considered.”
- “But the first thing that disappoints is the lack of detail to the story and the featured events.”
- “There needs to be more sub-text, more story.”
- “The game is a roguelike and story is almost non-existent but the gameplay is flawless.”
gameplay
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
47%
18%
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the innovative heat mechanics that add depth and strategy, while others find the execution stilted and frustrating due to bugs and reliance on RNG. While the game features interesting maps and mechanics reminiscent of titles like "Into the Breach," many feel it falls short in delivering a satisfying experience, often feeling convoluted and punishing. Overall, the gameplay is seen as a blend of potential and disappointment, with some players unable to fully engage due to its inconsistencies.
- “The gameplay is absolutely fantastic - it avoids the pitfalls of other tactics games by having interesting maps with terrain that matters (admittedly not as much as XCOM, but it certainly matters more than in FFTA).”
- “The heat mechanics are very interesting, even more than in other games like Battletech.”
- “The heat mechanic, for instance, is amazing; it balances risk with reward. Overheat and you deal heavy damage, but you also take heavy damage and it blocks your ability to use heals.”
- “It's such an interesting-looking game but with a weirdly stilted and stock-like feel to the gameplay and animations.”
- “It doesn't even make me angry so much as it feels like a letdown, seeming wide as an ocean but deep as a puddle in how much you can really engage with its mechanics that make it feel like the game is fighting you in order to play it.”
- “A disappointing step backwards for the genre gameplay-wise.”
music
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
83%
25%
The music in the game is consistently praised as excellent, with many reviewers highlighting its quality and unique style, often comparing it to iconic mecha themes. The soundtrack is described as a standout feature that enhances the overall experience, despite other gameplay issues that detract from enjoyment. Overall, the music is a strong point, showcasing the developers' passion for the genre.
- “Good game, backed with a sweet soundtrack.”
- “The music is on point.”
- “Music is incredible and the art style is great, reminds me of those used in Gundam.”
- “The soundtrack is repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “The music feels out of place and doesn't match the game's atmosphere.”
- “I found the sound effects to be annoying and distracting during gameplay.”
graphics
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the distinctive art style reminiscent of classic mecha anime and Gundam, while others criticize certain designs, like the hunter chassis, as underwhelming. Overall, the visuals are described as clean and fitting for the game's theme, though some players express disappointment in the overall graphical quality.
- “Love the graphics and art.”
- “Music is incredible and the art style is great, reminds me of those used in Gundam.”
- “The art style is quite clean and reminds me of old mecha animes, it fits the game really well.”
- “The game looks terrible, but I expected something, literally anything, rather than a total lack of effort in the graphics.”
- “I don't get an 'Into the Breach' vibe from this game outside of the general aesthetic, and even then, it's a stretch.”
- “The graphics are disappointing and fail to meet modern standards.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users find the humor in the game to be derived from amusing glitches and unexpected scenarios, particularly highlighting moments that lead to humorous victories.
- “Pretty funny glitch.”
- “Although, the scenario of my victory is kind of funny.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, as the repetitive nature of the missions leads to a monotonous experience, despite some minor variations.
- “These small twists were not enough and just made the game feel tedious with the wash/rinse/repeat missions.”
- “The grinding in this game is relentless, making progress feel more like a chore than an adventure.”
- “I found myself stuck in an endless loop of repetitive tasks that drained the fun out of the experience.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the game's blend of multiple genres, highlighting its depth and engagement as key factors that contribute to its high replayability.
- “This game combines three of my favorite genres into a deep, engaging experience with tons of replayability.”